'Yoga: Art of Transformation,' Plus a New Golden Foot & More

Debra Diamond, Alec Baldwin, Hilaria Baldwin and Dame Jillian Sackler taking the measure of a certain man. Photos by Tony Powell.

17 Oct. 2013/WASHINGTON, D.C. – JUST what the U.S. capitol – the world’s most dysfunctional city needs – some enlightenment.

And so it was with “Some Enlightened Evening.” The gala heralded the opening two days later of the eagerly awaited “Yoga: The Art of Transformation.”

The traveling exhibit, moored at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery through 26 Jan. 2014, is being called the world’s first dedicated to yoga.

“Yoga: The Art of Transformation” is an interactive, multimedia, uber-informational and comprehensive installation of more than 120 items dating from the 3rd to the 20th century. Visitors can expect ancient court paintings, icons, manuscripts, photos, books, films, tours, classes and Temple sculptures.

Pari Bradlee&Co. bring yoga to the dance floor.

Here is a must-visit destination for yoga enthusiasts and/or newbies interested in learning more about how this art has transformed body and soul and how yoginis and yogis have figured in Indian society for 2,000-plus years.

Gala chairperson Chandrika Tandon entertains the crowd with a little night music.

“Some Enlightened Evening” has a dual role, as it regards “Yoga,” in that it is also a fundraiser. Gala chairs Dame Jillian Sackler, singer Chandrika Tandon, as well as yoga power couple Hilaria and Alec Baldwin orchestrated a soiree where cuisine was prepared by a world-class chef, a yoga performance was given, as well as a mini-concert by gala chair member CT.

A LuLu Lemon performer shows how it's done during the "Some Enlightened Evening" gala.

Also during the evening, at least one scion took to the after-gala dinner dance floor to strike some poses – yoga-style.

Some enlightened evening, no?

Visit http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/current/yoga.asp to learn more about “Yoga: The Art of Transformation.”

What Precisely Says Didier About the Foot in His Hand?

Prince Albert II (left) of Monaco and Didier Drogba with the Golden Foot Award. Photo from Getty Images.

STAY tuned to learn some of footballer Didier Drogba's thoughts about winning the 2013 Golden Foot Award and having an immortalized footprint in Monaco, France.

In New York City, meanwhile, the American Folk Art Museum created buzz for its upcoming (January) exhibit, "Folk Couture: Fashion and Folk Art" with the "Folk Couture Benefit Gala" hosted by Tim Gunn.

A day later on a Gotham runway were seasonal styles from DKNY, Bow & Drape and JustFab shoes in support of the first-ever fashion show for the first-ever Techweek New York City.

'ReConstitution 2012': Decoding Presidential Debates

YOU know the saying, “There are liars, damn liars, and there are politicians.” Well, not exactly, but so apt, no?

To help voters and potential voters break through the doubletalk, exaggerations, misleading statements and outright untruths of the major party candidates for the president, is “ReConstitution 2012.

From the brains of the art and technology studio, Sosolimited, ReConstitution 2012 is a free, live web app linked to the U.S. presidential debates. (See video above.) It can be used during and after the debates, the latest of which is scheduled for 9 tonight EDT. The focus will be on foreign policy.

Alas, alas, (alas, alas, alas!!!), ReConstitution 2012 does not extend to the debates of the nonDemocratic and nonRepublican candidates for president. One is scheduled for tomorrow night at the Hilton Hotel in Chicago. Answering questions from moderator Larry King in a program sponsored by the nonpartisan Free and Equal Elections Foundation (http://www.freeandequal.org/) will be Justice Party nominee Rocky Anderson, Constitution Party nominee Virgil Goode, Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson and Green Party nominee Jill Stein.

The debate of these additional candidates for president will air on C-Span and will be livestreamed via the Internet at 9 p.m. EDT. It will also be broadcast on WBAI 99.5 and its Web site (http://www.wbai.org/.)

Meanwhile, did President Barack Obama actually call the attack on the Libyan embassy a terrorist attack the day after as he claimed in last week’s debate? Was Mitt Romney really responsible for the success of Massachusetts schools as he repeatedly asserted.

Using algorithms and other means that most normal folk don’t understand, the app can take into account the candidate’s state of mind at the time of a statement. It can also provide insights into the meaning behind words.

Reconstitution 2012 is best viewed in Chrome or Safari.

Visit http://www.recon12.com to learn more about Reconstitution 2012.

Zlatan Ibrahimović Takes Home Golden Foot

Zlatan Ibrahimovic shows off his Golden Foot award as Pele cheers him on at the Golden Foot award ceremony. Photos by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images.

AND the winner is Zlatan Ibrahimović!

The captain of the Swedish national football (soccer to those in the United States) team beat out nine others to take the 2012 Golden Foot award at a lavish ceremony in Monaco at the Sporting Monte Carlo “Salle de Etoile.”

Upholding tradition, ZI – nicknamed “Ibracadabra” because of his technical skills and magic with the ball – left his footprint in the cement on the Champions Promenade aka the football Walk of Fame.

Pele receives his special Golden Foot award from Princess Stephanie of Monaco who is accompanied by sports agent Antonio Caliendo.

Among legends receiving special awards were Franco Baresi, Eric Cantona and Lothar Matthäus. Edson Arantes do Nascimento aka Pelé received a special Golden Foot award “as the greatest football player to have ever played the game.”

The Golden Foot Award is given each year to an outstanding footballer. The candidates are selected by a jury of 52 sports journalists from around the world and the winner is chosen by fans who cast their votes online at the Golden Foot Web site ((http://www.goldenfoot.com).